A Taste of West Cork Food Festival is coming to the islands this September to give visitors a real flavour of West Cork island life

West Cork’s inhabited islands have some great flavours to offer as well as amazing stories to tell, so sign up for events throughout the award-winning foodie festival which runs from 7th to 16th September 2018.

Make sure you book in for what are set to be sell out events!

1. Sherkin Island Barbecue with Derry Clarke

Saturday 8th September: 1pm-5pm
Award-winning chef Derry Clarke will once again be behind the coals cooking up a feast at this annual fundraiser barbecue in aid of RNLI Baltimore’s lifeboat station. Find out more

2. Tarte Tatin Demonstration and Tasting with John Desmond

Sunday 9th September:2pm & 2:30pm (Heir Island)
Enjoy a demonstration and tasting on Heir Island with John Desmond of Heir’s famous Island cottage restaurant. John will share his secrets for making tart tatin in two free demonstrations. Find out more

3. Long Island Discovery

Monday September 10th: 10am-2pm
Reconnect with nature on an island where nature rules, and enjoy a gorgeous home-made lunch after your guided tour!
<Find out more

4. Bere Island and the Great Famine

Wednesday September 12th: 12-2pm
Bere Island – strategically situated as a buffer to the mainland – has an fascinating history that can be told through its stories of food and famine. Learn more on this fascinating guided tour. Find out more

5. Tea and Tales on Dursey Island

Thursday September 13th: 2:30pm-5:30pm
Journey across Dursey Sound to get a taste of life on this storied island which is accessed by Ireland’s only cable car! Find out more

6. The Palette and the Plate: A Guided Sherkin Island Art Tour

Friday September 14th [SOLD OUT]
Explore the links between the palette and the plate as Sherkin Island’s artists invite you into their galleries on a tour as part of A Taste of West Cork Festival 2018.Find out more

7. Cape Clear Caper

Saturday September 15th from 10:30am – 4:30pm
Explore Cape Clear Island with a local historian and biologist, visiting a local farm and the heritage centre which celebrates the Fastnet Lighthouse before enjoying a delicious meal that ends with seaweed-flavoured ice-cream.Find out more

8. Wild Weed Feed on Heir Island

Saturday September 15th: 12pm-3:30pm
Learn about the many edible varieties of seaweed found all around Roaringwater Bay with Heir Island resident and seaweed expert Christine Thery. Find out more

9. Explore Whiddy Island: Guided Walk & Lunch

Saturday September 15th: 11am ferry, 4pm or 6pm return.
Join Whiddy Island’s Tim O’Leary for a guided walking tour and a seafood lunch on Whiddy Island – it’s a great opportunity to learn about island traditions and Whiddy’s intriguing military past. Find out more

10. Bere Island and the Great Famine

[REPEAT EVENT] Saturday September 15th: 12-2pm
Bere Island – strategically situated as a buffer to the mainland – has an fascinating history that can be told through its stories of food and famine. Learn more on this fascinating guided tour. Find out more

11. Inspired by the Island: Alicia ní Ghráinne at the Jolly Roger

Saturday 15th September: 7pm-11pm
The Jolly Roger on Sherkin Island, in association with the West Cork Supper Club, hosts an evening inspired by the island’s seascape and landscape. Using local, seasonable and sustainable produce, guest chef Alicia ní Ghráinne with Geraldine Swift, will produce a series of courses featuring, seafood, foraged island ingredients, seaweed and local vegetables.Find out more

12. Good Things Cafe goes to Heir Island

Sunday September 16th from 12:00pm onwards
Carmel Somers, proprietress of Good Things Cafe, grew up spending lots of time on Heir Island with her family. Join her as she brings her famous food to a place dear to her family’s heart.Find out More.

And, to stay healthy with all this great food around, why not head a Bere Island parkrun one Saturday morning during your visit?

Put on your running shoes and take in spectacular coastal views by joining the ongoing series of West Cork Island summertime runs!

Whether you’re committed to running and looking to beat your personal best in stunning surroundings, or you’re looking for a fun and energetic day out with your running buddies in a unique location, we’ve got a run for you. Each island’s course has its own challenges and amazing views to spur you on.

There are distances to suit everyone, with a mixture of courses and distances for all types of runners.

Be part of some great runs on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way!

Choose one race to work towards, or be an island-running hero and tackle them all!

And there’ll be plenty of craic after each race with music & BBQs too!

Bere Island’s Weekly parkrun

If you can’t make it for one of the summer run series events, why not join Bere Island’s regular parkrunners for an experience of island running. You’ll take in spectacular views across the island, Bantry Bay and the Sheep’s Head and Beara peninsulas as you run.

Take a walk on Whiddy Island – one of West Cork’s seven inhabited islands!

Whiddy Island Loop Walk is situated in Bantry Bay between the Beara and Sheep’s Head peninsulas, and it’s home to a walk that offers spectacular views across Bantry Bay and the neighbouring landscapes.

Walk Details

From the Bantry head towards the pier (just past the new Supervalu) and take the Whiddy Island Ferry. The trip across Bantry Bay takes about 20 minutes and gives you a stunning view of Bantry House (weather dependent).

From the Whiddy Island Trailhead set out along the road. At the T-junction take a left. There is a finger post sign there, take the Tranaha option. At the next way marker take a right over a timber stile and continue off-road uphill along a path. At the second timber stile you will begin to descend the hill. You will encounter two more timber stiles before re-joining the road again. At the fourth timber stile continue on to your right.

From here on follow the road and way markers back to the trailhead. We recommend you take a moment to stop at the Bank House pub before you make your way back to Bantry.

Please note the seasonal ferry times to Whiddy Island before setting out from the pier at Bantry. Also, please refrain from bringing your dogs on this walk.

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We’re grateful for the support of Fáilte Ireland, Cork County Council, and the many island businesses and individuals involved in running, supporting, and sponsoring the Summer on the Islands Festival.

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